32 bit XP on 64 bit drive

R

Respice

My hard drive has 64 bits and is an Intel Core 2 Duo. My version of windows
XP Pro is a 32 bit version. I do not understand how this is possible. Thank
you for your time.
 
J

John

"hard drive" = computer??

It's simple. 64bit computer system can run either a 64bit or 32bit operating
systems.
 
J

Jerry

No such thing as a 64-bit hard drive.

What you have is a 64-bit capable motherboard and cpu and an installed copy
of Windows XP Pro's 32-bit version. So, what's the problem? There is nothing
wrong with running a 32-bit operating system on 64-bit capable hardware. If
you think it's wrong somehow, then, if you can, purchase the 64-bit version
of Windows XP Pro or download and install the 64-bit version of the Win7
Release Candidate or wait till 22 October and purchase the 64-bit version of
Win7 when it is available in the stores.
 
D

DL

Your hard drive isn't 64 your processor maybe.
You are looking at two separate things, WinXp was sold as a 32bit and
separately as 64 bit (two versions)
 
M

Mike Hall - MVP

Respice said:
My hard drive has 64 bits and is an Intel Core 2 Duo. My version of
windows
XP Pro is a 32 bit version. I do not understand how this is possible.
Thank
you for your time.

Your computer is 64-bit compatible, i.e. it can run a 64-bit operating
system like Vista 64 or Win 7 64. The only problem with running a 64-bit OS
is that some hardware devices, particularly older external devices may not
have 64-bit drivers available for them.

For this reason, the major computer manufacturers elected to install 32-bit
operating systems by default to ensure greater compatibility for the end
user. This is a perfectly good solution for most and, unless you have need
to run applications which require more than 4gb RAM installed, you would do
best to stay with what you have..
 
I

Ian D

philo said:
Your harddrive is *not* 64 bit

you probably have a 64bit cpu


there is a difference you know

I don't know where it originates from, but I've often heard new
computer owners referring to the PC case as a hard drive. Then
they refer to the HD itself as memory. You'd think someone
would give them the basic terminology when they purchase the
system.
 
K

Ken Blake, MVP

My hard drive has 64 bits


Sorry, but you are badly confused here. Your hard drive does not have
64 bits. Hard drives aren't measured in numbers of bits.

and is an Intel Core 2 Duo.


Nor is that possible. Undoubtedly, for both you mean to refer to your
CPU, not your hard drive.


My version of windows
XP Pro is a 32 bit version. I do not understand how this is possible. Thank
you for your time.


32-bit Windows can run on either a 32-bit CPU or a 64-bit CPU. But
64-bit Windows needs a 64-bit CPU.
 
P

Paul

Respice said:
My hard drive has 64 bits and is an Intel Core 2 Duo. My version of windows
XP Pro is a 32 bit version. I do not understand how this is possible. Thank
you for your time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86-64

"x86-64 is a superset of the x86 instruction set architecture. Therefore,
x86-64 processors can run existing 32-bit or 16-bit x86 programs without
sacrificing speed or compatibility, and in addition, they support new
programs written in an extended instruction set, which features a
64-bit address space and other capabilities."

What that means, is the new processors, like the Intel Core 2 Duo,
can support an OS that uses 64 bit instructions, but they can
also support an OS that uses 32 bit instructions. Thus, you can
install WinXP Pro 32 bit, on a Core 2 Duo, and it will work just
fine.

This is some of the stuff inside your computer.

Core 2 Duo <---- Power
| <---- Supply
Video Card ---- Northbridge ---- RAM (many
| wires)
Southbridge ---- Hard drive
| | | ---- CD/DVD drive
PCI USB |
Bus |
SuperIO --- PS/2 keyboard/mouse
| |
Floppy Serial
Drive Port

HTH,
Paul
 
F

Fred A

Dude, OP can't even tell the difference between hard drive and a computer
system. You're telling him Southbridge, Northbridge? What are you trying to
do? Confuse him?

Whaaat? There's a bridge in the box? :)
 
P

Paul

Fred said:
Dude, OP can't even tell the difference between hard drive and a computer
system. You're telling him Southbridge, Northbridge? What are you trying to
do? Confuse him?

Whaaat? There's a bridge in the box? :)

The idea was, to show the hard drive is a small part of the
whole thing.

Paul
 
T

Tim Slattery

Respice said:
My hard drive has 64 bits and is an Intel Core 2 Duo.

There's no such thing as a 64-bit hard drive. And a hard drive
wouldn't include a "Intel Core 2 Duo" or any other CPU. I assume that
you're talking about your computer, specifically your motherboard. So
you have a 64-bit computer, OK.
My version of windows XP Pro is a 32 bit version. I do not understand how this is possible.

It's possible because Intel engineers their 64-bit CPUs to be able to
run in 32-bit mode. When switched into that mode, the machine behaves
just like a 32-bit CPU. That means that it doesn't use all the
capabilities of your hardware. So why do manufacturers put a 32-bit OS
on 64-bit hardware?

This started when 64-bit computing was new, and the software -
Operating System, programs, and especially drivers for hardware you'd
want to connect - was spotty and frequently not available. So using a
64-bit OS would result in steamed customers when they couldn't connect
their favorite printer or scanner.

IMHO, software is now catching up, and we're seeing more and more
64-bit OSs on that 64-bit hardware.
 
S

smlunatick

My hard drive has 64 bits and is an Intel Core 2 Duo.  My version of windows
XP Pro is a 32 bit version.  I do not understand how this is possible.  Thank
you for your time.

Respice

Your hard drive does not matter!!!

You computer is a Core 2 Duo. This is an Intel processor which would
allow you to install a 64bit version of Windows, if you choose. The
fact it has Windows XP Pro 32bit does not matter.
 

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